'Thoughtful Thursdays' Devotion & Prayer Requests
It was the biggest splinter I had ever seen (at least up close) and it was lodged in our 10-year-
old’s finger yesterday.
I knew exactly what to do, because it was something I'd seen my mother Annie do many times
when I was a young girl living at home.
But still, I was thrown off by the width and length of the stick beneath the surface of Kedar’s
thumb. That bad boy was huge.
Quite the opposite of my reaction to our son Kaleb’s minor leg bump earlier yesterday, this
time, I was the one doing all the wincing and cringing.
“Are you okay?” I asked our oldest boy, frowning, bracing myself for his meltdown.
I had noticed a bit of blood around the wound created from the pointy object piercing through
the epidermis. It didn’t look very good.
Blandly as ever, Kedar nodded and said, “I’m fine,” like he hadn’t been stabbed by the oak
wood splinter.
He didn’t look fine—well, at least his hand didn’t.
His countenance, though, showed no sign of distress.
So, Daily Cup family, I got my trusty sterilized needle, a pair of tweezers and went to work.
With my needle, I punctured the skin and gently began lifting it to expose the wood trapped
underneath. I was sure not to poke too far in, as not to cause pain.
My goal was to move that top layer covering the wood. That way, I could get a good grip on it
with my tweezers and with a steady hand, pull it out.
But that stubborn stick was huge.
“Are you alright?” I asked again after poking him. “Does it hurt?”
His face was blank as an artist’s untouched canvas.
Ironically, he had to reassure me that it looked far worse than it felt.
Back to work I went and eventually, was able to get it out without any tears, screams or fear
from Kedar.
He was a real trooper.
Turns out, it wasn’t as bad as it looked.
But my response to it was based on what I perceived with my eyes, when the reality of the
situation was not that dire.
It reminds me of the first time one of our children bumped their head and got a big old “goose
egg” or what we sometimes call a “hickey” on it. The huge protrusion looked frightening, but
was very minor.
It looked worse than it was.
Have you ever seen someone get a cut above the eye or on their scalp? A small gash will
bleed profusely, because those areas are rich with blood vessels and the red stuff will gush
out, even with a pretty minor abrasion.
All the blood, however, has understandably sent plenty people into a full-on panic.
The point is, for the most part, we react to what things look like, rather than what they are like.
But in order to handle the adversities and troubles of life, without losing it, we have to get past
what our natural senses tell us and tap into our spiritual senses.
What has the Lord said about it?
Has God assured you in His word that He would take care of you? Has He been faithful in times
past when circumstances looked troubling? Do you know He loves you and that all things are
working together for your good?
If so, rest in that.
Don’t let what your eyes see and what your circumstances say dictate your response.
God has good things in store. Better days are ahead.
I know signs of an impending catastrophic disaster of epic proportions may be all around you.
But giving into worry, stress, intimidation and discouragement does nothing to help.
As I told you yesterday, don’t panic. Everything will be fine.
I believe the Lord sent me to assure you it is not as bad as it seems. The conclusion of the
matter, though it looks inevitably bad, will be turned around for your good.
God is already working things out in your favor.
Instead of bracing for the worst, prepare for the best.
Your best days, greatest blessings, biggest opportunities, deepest fulfillment and most joyous
moments are ahead of you.
Change your expectation.
By faith, anticipate the great.
To help you avoid going by what you see, I’m stirring 2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT into your cup of
inspiration, which says, “For we live by believing and not by seeing.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup may it wash away discouragement and replace it
with encouragement. By the power of the Holy Ghost, I pray that pessimistic outlook will begin
to fade and that you will allow God to birth fresh optimism, and new hope in your spirit.
The best is yet to come.
Do you believe it?
Then rejoice.
And as you praise God for that good news, also join me in interceding for the individuals on
our “Thoughtful Thursdays” prayer list who need God to move on their behalf.
Diana Robinson wrote:
Praise the Lord and God bless you in Jesus name. My prayer request is to receive the gift of
the precious Holy Ghost. May the Lord bless and keep you and thank you for your prayers.
Annette Gleason wrote:
Please pray for my family. My aunt is battling lung cancer which has spread to her kidneys. We
are all having a hard time with this. So if you could pray for the Critton and Gleason family I
would greatly appreciate it. Thank You.
Portia wrote:
My heart has been hardened for years, I am now ready to love and embrace love. Pray that
our Father pours his favor on me. I ask that he lays a path that I may follow to find my purpose
and grow closer to him. For years I thought I didn't know how to pray. Now I can't stop. Thank
you for those that join me in prayer. Blessings to you all.
Anonymous wrote:
I've been technically married for over 25 years but my husband left me with 4 small children
years ago, and I know I should have divorced him, but somehow could not bring myself to
complete the process; being brought up old school where divorce is frowned upon still. But
more recently I've been asking God to bring a Godly friend in my life to share life with. I have
been holding on to the past in a ridiculous way. Wanting to let go but afraid at the same time.
Please pray with me that I will find the road that God wants me to travel and give me peace to
do so. I'll be joining in prayer with you and your intercessory team every Thursday going
forward.
Lauren wrote:
To continue to seek God for clarity of my purpose for the Kingdom of God, and to be obedient
when He tells me what path to take, to understand doors will close and not to long for them,
and doors will open, and to not be afraid to go through them, and that it is okay to feel joy and
excitement for what God is doing in my life.
Anonymous wrote:
Can you please pray for my husband, myself and children. Recently, we have been displaced.
The kids and I are living with a friend and he is living in a hotel. For months, we have been
looking for a place to live but because of one blemish on our credit this has caused us nothing
but turmoil. We just want a home for our children. This has caused so much tension and
bitterness between the two of us. Can you please pray for us?
Anonymous wrote:
I have been battling depression for a long time but it has been extremely difficult recently. I
pray for healing.
Anonymous wrote:
Healing and restoration from a breakup from a six year relationship. My ex started an online
relationship with a stranger overseas.
Anonymous wrote:
Hi. I read and pray with you constantly touching and agreeing in prayer for others including my
circle of friends and family. I do request that you pray with me that I let go of my past
relationship and its familiars and to embrace the future God has placed before me. He has
placed someone special in my life and I don't want to mess it all up by holding on to the past. I
am a pastor and I’m always praying for others so I humbly ask for your prayers in this, and
thank you for all you do. I use your column frequently in our women’s sessions at church. God
bless you.
Anonymous wrote:
I'm seeking pray for my Son that is incarcerated in jail. Since he has been there he has been
diagnosed with cancer. He needs all the prayers he can get at this time. I try to keep his spirit
up. I'm raising his son so he gets to talk to him every other day which is good for both of them
and me.
Now let’s pray together.
old’s finger yesterday.
I knew exactly what to do, because it was something I'd seen my mother Annie do many times
when I was a young girl living at home.
But still, I was thrown off by the width and length of the stick beneath the surface of Kedar’s
thumb. That bad boy was huge.
Quite the opposite of my reaction to our son Kaleb’s minor leg bump earlier yesterday, this
time, I was the one doing all the wincing and cringing.
“Are you okay?” I asked our oldest boy, frowning, bracing myself for his meltdown.
I had noticed a bit of blood around the wound created from the pointy object piercing through
the epidermis. It didn’t look very good.
Blandly as ever, Kedar nodded and said, “I’m fine,” like he hadn’t been stabbed by the oak
wood splinter.
He didn’t look fine—well, at least his hand didn’t.
His countenance, though, showed no sign of distress.
So, Daily Cup family, I got my trusty sterilized needle, a pair of tweezers and went to work.
With my needle, I punctured the skin and gently began lifting it to expose the wood trapped
underneath. I was sure not to poke too far in, as not to cause pain.
My goal was to move that top layer covering the wood. That way, I could get a good grip on it
with my tweezers and with a steady hand, pull it out.
But that stubborn stick was huge.
“Are you alright?” I asked again after poking him. “Does it hurt?”
His face was blank as an artist’s untouched canvas.
Ironically, he had to reassure me that it looked far worse than it felt.
Back to work I went and eventually, was able to get it out without any tears, screams or fear
from Kedar.
He was a real trooper.
Turns out, it wasn’t as bad as it looked.
But my response to it was based on what I perceived with my eyes, when the reality of the
situation was not that dire.
It reminds me of the first time one of our children bumped their head and got a big old “goose
egg” or what we sometimes call a “hickey” on it. The huge protrusion looked frightening, but
was very minor.
It looked worse than it was.
Have you ever seen someone get a cut above the eye or on their scalp? A small gash will
bleed profusely, because those areas are rich with blood vessels and the red stuff will gush
out, even with a pretty minor abrasion.
All the blood, however, has understandably sent plenty people into a full-on panic.
The point is, for the most part, we react to what things look like, rather than what they are like.
But in order to handle the adversities and troubles of life, without losing it, we have to get past
what our natural senses tell us and tap into our spiritual senses.
What has the Lord said about it?
Has God assured you in His word that He would take care of you? Has He been faithful in times
past when circumstances looked troubling? Do you know He loves you and that all things are
working together for your good?
If so, rest in that.
Don’t let what your eyes see and what your circumstances say dictate your response.
God has good things in store. Better days are ahead.
I know signs of an impending catastrophic disaster of epic proportions may be all around you.
But giving into worry, stress, intimidation and discouragement does nothing to help.
As I told you yesterday, don’t panic. Everything will be fine.
I believe the Lord sent me to assure you it is not as bad as it seems. The conclusion of the
matter, though it looks inevitably bad, will be turned around for your good.
God is already working things out in your favor.
Instead of bracing for the worst, prepare for the best.
Your best days, greatest blessings, biggest opportunities, deepest fulfillment and most joyous
moments are ahead of you.
Change your expectation.
By faith, anticipate the great.
To help you avoid going by what you see, I’m stirring 2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT into your cup of
inspiration, which says, “For we live by believing and not by seeing.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup may it wash away discouragement and replace it
with encouragement. By the power of the Holy Ghost, I pray that pessimistic outlook will begin
to fade and that you will allow God to birth fresh optimism, and new hope in your spirit.
The best is yet to come.
Do you believe it?
Then rejoice.
And as you praise God for that good news, also join me in interceding for the individuals on
our “Thoughtful Thursdays” prayer list who need God to move on their behalf.
Diana Robinson wrote:
Praise the Lord and God bless you in Jesus name. My prayer request is to receive the gift of
the precious Holy Ghost. May the Lord bless and keep you and thank you for your prayers.
Annette Gleason wrote:
Please pray for my family. My aunt is battling lung cancer which has spread to her kidneys. We
are all having a hard time with this. So if you could pray for the Critton and Gleason family I
would greatly appreciate it. Thank You.
Portia wrote:
My heart has been hardened for years, I am now ready to love and embrace love. Pray that
our Father pours his favor on me. I ask that he lays a path that I may follow to find my purpose
and grow closer to him. For years I thought I didn't know how to pray. Now I can't stop. Thank
you for those that join me in prayer. Blessings to you all.
Anonymous wrote:
I've been technically married for over 25 years but my husband left me with 4 small children
years ago, and I know I should have divorced him, but somehow could not bring myself to
complete the process; being brought up old school where divorce is frowned upon still. But
more recently I've been asking God to bring a Godly friend in my life to share life with. I have
been holding on to the past in a ridiculous way. Wanting to let go but afraid at the same time.
Please pray with me that I will find the road that God wants me to travel and give me peace to
do so. I'll be joining in prayer with you and your intercessory team every Thursday going
forward.
Lauren wrote:
To continue to seek God for clarity of my purpose for the Kingdom of God, and to be obedient
when He tells me what path to take, to understand doors will close and not to long for them,
and doors will open, and to not be afraid to go through them, and that it is okay to feel joy and
excitement for what God is doing in my life.
Anonymous wrote:
Can you please pray for my husband, myself and children. Recently, we have been displaced.
The kids and I are living with a friend and he is living in a hotel. For months, we have been
looking for a place to live but because of one blemish on our credit this has caused us nothing
but turmoil. We just want a home for our children. This has caused so much tension and
bitterness between the two of us. Can you please pray for us?
Anonymous wrote:
I have been battling depression for a long time but it has been extremely difficult recently. I
pray for healing.
Anonymous wrote:
Healing and restoration from a breakup from a six year relationship. My ex started an online
relationship with a stranger overseas.
Anonymous wrote:
Hi. I read and pray with you constantly touching and agreeing in prayer for others including my
circle of friends and family. I do request that you pray with me that I let go of my past
relationship and its familiars and to embrace the future God has placed before me. He has
placed someone special in my life and I don't want to mess it all up by holding on to the past. I
am a pastor and I’m always praying for others so I humbly ask for your prayers in this, and
thank you for all you do. I use your column frequently in our women’s sessions at church. God
bless you.
Anonymous wrote:
I'm seeking pray for my Son that is incarcerated in jail. Since he has been there he has been
diagnosed with cancer. He needs all the prayers he can get at this time. I try to keep his spirit
up. I'm raising his son so he gets to talk to him every other day which is good for both of them
and me.
Now let’s pray together.
Life can leave us parched, but Jesus can quench
our thirst.
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"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great
5:16b NLT
If you are struggling, suffering, hurting, and are in
need of a community of Believers in Christ to pray
for you, you're in the right place. Let the
Empowering Everyday Women Intercessory Prayer
Team stand in faith with you.
5:16b NLT
If you are struggling, suffering, hurting, and are in
need of a community of Believers in Christ to pray
for you, you're in the right place. Let the
Empowering Everyday Women Intercessory Prayer
Team stand in faith with you.
God, my circumstances don’t look very good or promising. Situations all around me
appear so negative that I don’t see how a positive outcome can be the result. But I
know that You have a good plan for my life. So today, by faith, I look past what I
see with my natural eyes and tap into what I sense in my spirit. I believe You for
better days, open doors, deliverance and the breaking of yokes in every area of
my life. I thank You right now for it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
appear so negative that I don’t see how a positive outcome can be the result. But I
know that You have a good plan for my life. So today, by faith, I look past what I
see with my natural eyes and tap into what I sense in my spirit. I believe You for
better days, open doors, deliverance and the breaking of yokes in every area of
my life. I thank You right now for it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift,
encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with You. I
know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with You. I
know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
JANUARY 23, 2014
HIGHLIGHTED POST
RECENT DEVOTIONALS
Don't stress out. Don't worry. Don't panic. God
has this under control. Trust Him and know that
He will bring you out alright. In the meantime,
here's some help for you.
has this under control. Trust Him and know that
He will bring you out alright. In the meantime,
here's some help for you.
It's Going To Be Fine